Three Weeks
From Halachipedia
Cutting Hair
- For Sephardim it’s forbidden to take a hair cut the week of Tisha BeAv (and it’s permitted to take a hair cut during the three weeks). [1]
Dancing
- Dancing is forbidden during the three weeks. [2]
Saying Shechiyanu
Eating a new fruit or wearing new clothing
Who shouldn’t say Shechiyanu?
- However, a pregnant woman or a sick person is permitted to eat the new fruit. [9]
Listening to Music
- It’s forbidden to listen to music from musical instruments during the three weeks. [10]
- Some say that one may listen to vocal music during the three weeks but not the 9 days. [11]
- Many authorities forbid listening to recorded music (music with instruments) during the three weeks. [12]
- Some say that listening to recorded vocal music is forbidden, while others permit. [13]
References
- ↑ Sh”t Yechave Daat 4:36, 3:39, Sh”t Yabea Omer 3:31:5, Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 551(2):11)
- ↑ Magan Avraham 551:10 says that it is forbidden to dance during the three weeks. This is brought as Halacha in the Achronim including Bear Hetiev 551:11, Mishna Brurah 551:16, Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 560, Kitzur S”A 551:9).
- ↑ S”A 551:17 writes that one should refrain from saying Shechiyanu during Ben HaMeysarim. The Magan Avraham 551:42 explains that the reason not to make Shechiyanu is because the three weeks is a time of tragedy for Klal Yisrael and it’s improper to have extra joy. However, the Gra D”H VeNohagin understands the practice as based on Aveilut and therefore argues that this is only an extra chumra and one is allowed to make Shechiyanu (just like a mourner can make a Shechiyanu as in Brachot 59b). The Taz agrees to be lenient based on the concern that perhaps if you don’t make the Bracha now you may not be able after the Ben HaMeysarim. Mishna Brurah 551:98 concludes that one shouldn’t be lenient except on Shabbat.
- ↑ Sefer Chasidim 840, Mateh Moshe 697, Yosef Ometz 861, Magan Avraham 551:21,42, Chaye Adam 133:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2, permit making Shechiyanu on Shabbat. However, the Magan Avraham 551:42 quotes the Kitvei HaArizal who is machmir even on Shabbat. Mishna Brurah 551:98 concludes that one can be lenient regarding making Shechiyanu on Shabbat since there’s some are lenient on shechiyanu during all of the three weeks and there’s some who specifically permit Shabbat.
- ↑ Eliyah Rabba 551:17 in name of Madenei Yom Tov that one should wear new clothes even on Shabbat during the three weeks because wearing new clothes has a special aspect of happiness (greater than eating a new fruit). So holds the Chaye Adam 133:14, Derech HaChaim 551:6 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 not to wear new clothes all three weeks including Shabbat. However, Aruch HaShulchan 551:38 writes that one can make Shechiyanu before Rosh Chodesh Av and afterwards one shouldn’t make Shechiyanu even on Shabbat Chazon. Additionally, Mishna Brurah 551:45 writes that even those who are lenient to make Shechiyanu on Shabbat will agree to be strict on Shabbat Chazon not to wear new clothes (which has a special element of happiness that a new fruit doesn’t have). Sh”t Yechave Daat 1:37 and Torat HaMoadim 5:7 concurs to the opinion of Mishna Brurah.
- ↑ Sh”t Sh”t Chaim Shal 1:24, Kaf HaChaim 551:207, and Ikrei HaDaat O”C 27:9 write that one shouldn’t say Shechiyanu on the night of Sheva Aser BeTamuz. However, Nechamat Yisrael (pg 40) permits in case of great need based on Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 1:168 (so is explicit in Sh”t Igrot Moshe O”C 3:100) and Mishnat Yacov (pg 168) permits Shechiyanu at night even without any need.
- ↑ Sh”t Chaim Shal O”C 7 and Ketonet Yosef 11 (quoted in Kaf HaChaim 551:207) writes that even though one can’t make a Shechiyanu during the 3 weeks, one can eat a new fruit or wear new clothes without a Bracha. However, the Sefer Chasidim 840, Shaarei Knesset HaGedolah 551:52, Bach 551e, Maamer Mordechai 551:14, Yometz Ometz 56, Bear Heitev 551:20, and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:2 write that one is not allowed to have a new fruit during the three weeks without a Bracha, since having a new fruit requires a Bracha and it can’t be made during the three weeks.
- ↑ Halichot Shlomo pg 411 brings from the Talmidim of Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach that it’s permissible to buy new clothes since nowadays we don’t make a Bracha on buying clothes. see Nechamet Yisrael pg40
- ↑ Mishna Brurah 551:99
- ↑ Sh”t Kapei Aharon 52 writes that it’s clearly forbidden to listen to music during the three weeks. This is brought in Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:166. Nitai Gavriel 15:1 writes that this law is missing from S”A and early poskim because there’s a general prohibition of Listening to Music and so there was no question about the three weeks. [There is a hint to the prohibition in the Pri Megadim and Maharam Shik who discuss playing music for an income during the three weeks.] However, because many are lenient like the Rama (unlike S”A and Bach) and are lenient regarding music all year, this question became relevant and it’s unanimously accepted by contemporary poskim that music is forbidden during the three weeks because it brings with it simcha just like dancing (explicitly forbidden by Magan Avraham 551:10). See next notes.
- ↑ Mekor Chaim 551:1 and Or letzion 3:25:2 write that during the 9 days one shouldn’t listen to even vocal music. This is brought as halacha in the Halachot UMinhagei Ben HaMesarim (by Rabbi Moshe Karp pg 25) and Nachmat Yisrael 3:3. leninet until rosh chodesh, Rav Ovadyah (Chazon Ovadyah 151-4, Torat Hamoadim 5:2) is lenient with vocal song that are praise to Hashem (especially for Shabbat including Shabbat chazon).
- ↑ Nitay gavriel 15:1 (based on Shalmat Chaim 29:1, Mishnat Sachir 2:145, Sh”t Ohel Yisachar 39, Divrei Shalom 3:118), Penieni Halacha (pg 144; based on igrot Moshe yd 2:137, and yachave daat 6:34), Torat Hamoadim 5:2, and Rav Ovadyah (Sh”t Yachave Daat 6:34, Chazon Ovadyah 151) hold that recorded music is forbidden during the three weeks.
- ↑ Sh”t Shevet Halevi 6:69, 8:127, Nitai Gavriel 15:1, Sh”t Tzitz Eliezer 15:33, and Nechmat Yisrael 3:4 forbid listening to a recorded vocal song. However, Sh”t Igrot Moshe YD 2:137, Sh”t Yachave Daat 6:34 permit (regarding Jewish music).